Now playing over at TB....

[Denis]

This little pissing match!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/precision-bass-actually-p-bass-906853/

[Highlander]

I own a custom T'Bird by some English geezer that made F'Birds, but I don't own a Thunderbird...

[Denis]

Haha, nice.

I wanted to post over there, but couldn't remember my password. Maybe a good thing...

[chromium]

I think that by and large, p basses *are* p basses - with possible exception of those that are not p basses.

[Dave W]

How enlightening!

As much as I agree they should have MUCH larger option base, specifically with finishes, Fender itself seems to be a pretty well run/successful business though, no?

LOL! I remember when your only choice was maple or rosewood and a handful of finishes, with only sunburst carried in stock by most dealers. A quick look at Fender's website shows 23 Fender and 10 Squier Precisions, not counting the Custom Shop. Obviously they need a MUCH larger option base.  

I dunno, last I heard they are losing money on a regular basis. Can't speak to the reliability of the source of this info though.

Fender's IPO prospectus showed that in 2011 the company realized a net profit of $320 million on revenue of $701 million. Beyond what's in the prospectus, it's a privately held company. But no doubt some mook on TB knows the real story.  

Good...the giant scam is on a decline.

Seems like for every TB member who loves Fender unconditionally, there's a brainless twit who wouldn't know the meaning of "scam" if it bit him in the ass.  

[godofthunder]

Oy I admire modern day Fender. Lots of options, very good quality control, price ranges for every taste and budget.

[Pilgrim]

I have no heartburn with Fender.  They're definitely riding the legacy of their successful instruments, but let's face it, they're standards around the world.  They have also done some nice things with Gretsch since acquiring that line. 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Fender's IPO prospectus showed that in 2011 the company realized a net profit of $320 million on revenue of $701 million. Beyond what's in the prospectus, it's a privately held company.

They withdrew their IPO, BTW.

[Dave W]

They withdrew their IPO, BTW.

They did. The prospectus did show that they have enough long term debt to raise some concern. Speculation I read (in financial news, not guitar forums) was that they decided they wouldn't be able to raise enough at this time, especially in the wake of the Facebook IPO fiasco which softened the IPO market. But they aren't losing money.

[Psycho Bass Guy]

But they aren't losing money.

No argument there, and seeing what happened to several MI companies that went public, this is probably a good thing for them in the long run. The IPO was probably just a way to refinance their longterm debt. FMIC is nothing if not business-efficient.

[Dave W]

No argument there, and seeing what happened to several MI companies that went public, this is probably a good thing for them in the long run. The IPO was probably just a way to refinance their longterm debt. FMIC is nothing if not business-efficient.

That was a good part of it, also IIRC some of the original 1980s group that had already sold off some of their stake wanted to cash out the rest of their holdings.

[uwe]

They shelved the IPO because Gibson will buy them. It's a secret, but Henry J. told me. After the takeover, the Precision will be rebranded - in line with Gibson tradition for budget brands such as "Kalamazoo" - Corona B I and the Jazz Bass Corona B II. Use of maple will be gently faded out, surplus maple confiscated and transported to Nashville for baking and subsequent conversion into fretboard wood.

There will be a few select reruns of Fender models as "Fender by Gibson" from the Gibson Custom Shop, albeit with improvements such as TB Plus pups, set neck, 2+2 tuners and maho wood construction. With each bass, four bolt-on screws will be separately packed in a velvet bag captioned "Fullerton Venerable Relics" and a personal commemorative note of Henry J. how  "Jesus was bolt-on too, but times move on".

[TBird1958]

  ROFLMAO Uwe!   

Thank you!

[Dave W]

Wait until someone copies and pastes Uwe's comments and posts them to other forums and a few dim bulbs take it seriously. 

[uwe]

Will the German embassy in Washington, D.C., be safe?